Keep Branch's leadership in Okanogan County

Let’s not risk losing Chris Branch as Okanogan County District 1 commissioner.

I can confirm the complexity of an Okanogan County commissioner’s job, having taken notes at commissioners’ meetings since 2014. It includes such duties as writing and repealing laws; land use decisions; economic planning; coordinating over 20 departments, such as public works, the judicial system, emergency management; and more —  including responsibility for an approximately $70 million budget. 

With this job, varied and extensive experience are crucial. Previously a heavy-duty mechanic and logger, Branch became a professional planner by education and experience, working for 27 years with towns and cities in Okanogan County in community development. He served for approximately 10 total years on the Community Action Board, several years as its president, and is the only commissioner who chooses to pursue this work. 

At the multi-county level, Branch serves on the Washington State Association of Counties Board (WSAC) and its Legislative Steering Committee, in addition to Councils of Governance in Central Washington overseeing Aging and Adult Care, Workforce Development, and Health Care, with root causes of drug addiction being a major interest. A direct descendent of a tribal member, he values serving as commissioner for a district composed geographically of mostly reservation lands and in coordinating responsibilities with the Tribes’ people. Extensive experience with the diverse land and people of our county — together with four years learning the intricacies of this job — makes Branch a leader we can trust during challenging times.

Branch is on the ground during emergencies. Among the first to spot fire activity on Sept. 9, he attempted contact with EMS and was up most of the night helping families evacuate. As the mill site fire rekindled, he identified additional danger to homes along Hwy 97, assisting firefighters with more homes. Post-fire, he has attended at least two assemblies of affected landowners convened by Okanogan County and Colville Tribes Emergency Management teams to evaluate needs, called for volunteer assistance at the fairgrounds, spearheaded a commissioner’s resolution to waive disposal fees during clean-up, identified nonprofit assistance, and worked to manage risk at the fairgrounds for emergency response. 

Branch owes allegiance to no political party, only to the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions, the commissioners’ oath of office, and the people of Okanogan County. He clarified this publicly on June 1 during an open commissioners’ meeting following a distressing Facebook post by Commissioner DeTro. Taking leadership by opening the discussion, he addressed every commissioner’s responsibility to represent all the people of Okanogan County rather than solely a personal perspective or that of one political party. He has worked diligently to keep politics out of response and recovery efforts.

Vote steady leadership, experience, and integrity. Vote Branch.

Isabelle Spohn